Low foaming formulation of gylphosate

ABSTRACT

A low-foaming herbicidal composition comprises glyphosate and a poly(alkylene oxide)alkanol having the formula R 1 R 2 CH—R 3 —(OR 4 ) n —OH (I) wherein R 1  and R 2  are methyl or ethyl, R 3  is a straight chain alkylene group containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, R 4  is an alkylene group containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms and n is from 4 to 20. Especially preferred is ethoxylated, propoxylated or mixed alkoxylated/propoxylated iso-tridecyl alcohol wherein the degree of alkoxylation is from 6 to 14, for example iso-tridecyl alcohol having 8 polyethylene oxide units. Preferred compositions additionally contain an alkylglycoside.

This invention relates to a formulation and in particular to aformulation of the herbicide glyphosate.

Formulations of the herbicide glyphosate are generally available in theform of a concentrate which is diluted with water by the user prior toapplication. For large-scale agricultural use the dilution of theconcentrate normally takes place in a spray tank from which the dilutedproduct is applied through a suitable spraying apparatus. A commonproblem encountered is that of excessive foaming of the concentrate.Many glyphosate formulations therefore contain commercially availableanti-foam agents designed to minimise this problem. Anti-foam agents arenormally effective at low concentration (typically of the order of 0.5to 10 g/l, for example about 1 g/l). This concentration is much lowerthan that of bioperformance enhancing adjuvants which may also bepresent in the formulation (typically about 100 to 150 g/l), anti-foamagents are normally assumed to have little or no effect onbioperformance.

We have now found that certain polyethyleneoxide alkanols are effectiveas anti-foam agents and, despite being present at relatively lowconcentration, additionally have surprising beneficial effects onbioperformance.

According to the present invention there is provided a low-foamingherbicidal composition comprising glyphosate and a poly(alkyleneoxide)alkanol having the formula

wherein R₁ and R₂ are methyl or ethyl, R₃ is a straight chain alkylenegroup containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, R₄ is an alkylene groupcontaining 2 or 3 carbon atoms and n is from 4 to 20.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of reducing the foaming of a glyphosate concentrate compositionhaving a concentration of from 240 to 550 g/l based on glyphosate acidwhich comprised incorporating in the composition a poly(alkyleneoxide)alkanol of formula (I).

The group (OR₄)_(n) is suitably a poly(ethylene oxide) group,poly(propylene oxide) group or a mixed poly(ethylene oxide/propyleneoxide) group. In the case of compounds having a range of degrees ofalkoxyoxylation, n may be an average number. It is preferred that n isfrom 6 to 14, for example from 6 to 10. An especially preferred value ofn is about 8.

R₁ and R₂ are preferably both methyl. R₃ preferably contains from 7 to11 carbon atoms and an especially preferred group R₃ is —(CH₂)₁₀—.

A preferred poly(alkylene oxide)alkanol of formula (I) is ethoxylated,propoxylated or mixed alkoxylated/propoxylated iso-tridecyl alcoholwherein the degree of alkoxylation is from 6 to 14, for example about 8.

Glyphosate is normally used in the form of a water-soluble salt ofglyphosate acid (N-phosphonomethylglycine) and the term glyphosate asused herein includes glyphosate acid and its salts, esters andderivatives. Typical glyphosate salts include isopropylamine,trimethylsulphonium, monoethanolamine, ammonium, potassium and sodium.As indicated previously, the present invention is particularly relevantto the formulation of glyphosate concentrates. Such concentratestypically contain of the order of 240 g/l based on glyphosate acid,although there is a move towards more concentrated formulations forexample from 240 to 550 g/l, depending on the nature of the saltemployed. For the potassium salt, it is possible to produce formulationshaving a concentration of up to 550 g/l, for example from 400 to 550 g/land in particular around 500 g/l, whilst for the ammonium salt, moretypical ranges are from 240 to 400 g/l and more particularly from 340 to380 g/l based on glyphosate acid.

It is a particular feature of preferred aspects of the present inventionthat the compound of formula (I) operates both as an anti-foam and as abioperformance enhancing agent at lower concentrations than areconventional for bioperformance enhancing adjuvants. Thus whilst higherproportions of the compound of formula (I) may be used, the benefits ofthe invention are most apparent when the concentration of the compoundof formula (I) is below 100 g/l, for example from 0.1 to 100 g/l. Aconcentration of the compound of formula (I) of at least 1 g/l ispreferred, for example from 1 to 50 g/l and especially from 1 to 20 g/l.

It is a further advantage of the present invention that the compound offormula (I) remains fully dispersed on storage of the composition. Incontrast certain commonly used commercial anti-foams tend to separateout from the composition on storage and thereby lose theireffectiveness, particularly if the concentrate is re-distributed frombulk storage into smaller containers.

It will be appreciated that relatively low levels of the compound offormula (I) are unlikely to provide sufficient bioperformanceenhancement on their own and it is preferred that the compound offormula (I) is used with one or more additional bioperformance enhancingadjuvants. A wide range of bioperformance enhancing adjuvants suitablefor use with glyphosate are well known in the art. We have found thatthe combination of a compound of formula (I) with an alkylglycosideadjuvant provides an unexpectedly high level of bioperformanceenhancement of glyphosate combined with an effective anti-foam action,particularly with respect to foaming of the concentrate. The effect isof such a magnitude that it is believed that there is a beneficialinteraction or synergy between the compound of formula (I) and thealkylglycoside.

The alkylglycoside for use in the present invention may be obtained bythe reaction of alkanols with glucose or other mono- or di- orpolysaccharides. As used herein the term “alkylglycoside” includes analkylmonoglycoside and an alkylpolyglycoside. Preferred alkylglycosidesfor use in the present invention are alkylglucosides obtained by thereaction of glucose with a straight or branched chain alkanol or mixtureof alkanols, for example a mixture of alkanols containing 7 to 18,preferably 7 to 16 carbon atoms for example 8 to 10 carbon atoms. Thenumber of glycose groups per alkyl group in the molecule may vary andalkyl mono- or di- or polyglucose or saccharide derivatives arepossible. Commercial alkylpolyglucosides usually contain a mixture ofderivatives having an average number of glycose groups per alkyl group.Thus alkylglycosides have the general formula (III)

wherein n is the degree of polymerisation and is typically within therange from 1 to 3, for example from 1 to 2, and R⁵ is a branched orstraight chain alkyl group having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms or a mixtureof alkyl groups having an average value within the given range. Typicalof alkylglycosides is the product commercially available under the tradenames AL2042 and AL2575 (Uniqema) and AGRIMUL PG2067 (Henkel Corp)wherein n is an average of 1.7 and R⁵ is a mixture of octyl (45%) anddecyl (55%), the product commercially available under the trade nameAGRIMUL PG2069 (Henkel Corp) wherein n is an average of 1.6 and R⁵ is amixture of nonyl (20%), decyl (40%) and undecyl (40%) and the productcommercially available under the trade name BEROL AG6202 (Akzo Nobel) orAGRIMUL PG 3399 (Henkel Corp) which is 2-ethyl-1-hexylglycoside.

The additional bioperformance enhancing adjuvant, for example thealkylglycoside, is suitably used at conventional concentrations of fromabout 80 g/l to about 250 g/l, for example from about 100 g/l to about150 g/l and the ratio of the compound of formula (I) to the secondbioperformance enhancing adjuvant is preferably from about 1:1 to 1:100and more preferably from 1:10 to 1:40.

The compound of formula (I) may be used as the sole anti-foam agent ormay be used in combination with or as a partial replacement for anotheranti-foam agent. The compound of formula (I) is primarily intended toreduce foaming of the concentrate. Other anti-foams whose primarypurpose is to reduce foaming of the diluted product may be used inaddition to the compound of formula (I). A typical example of ananti-foam for reducing foaming of the diluted product is MSA supplied byDow Corning which consists of a polydimethyl siloxane oil blended withhydrophobic silicas.

Other conventional additives such as humectants, activity enhancers(such as inorganic ammonium salts), anti-freeze agents, wetters, orother additional surfactants may be added if desired. Similarly,additional water-soluble herbicides or other agrochemicals such asfungicides and insecticides may be incorporated if desired but thepresent invention is primarily concerned with compositions in which theonly active agrochemical ingredient is glyphosate.

When diluted for use, compositions of the present invention are activeagainst a broad range of weed species including monocotyledonous anddicotyledonous species. The compositions are suitably applied directlyto unwanted plants (post-emergence application).

Thus according to a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a process of severely damaging or killing unwanted plants whichcomprises diluting a concentrated composition of the present inventionand applying to the plants a herbicidally effective amount of a saiddiluted composition.

The rate of application of the composition of the invention will dependon a number of factors including, for example, the identity of theplants whose growth is to be inhibited and whether the compound is to beapplied for foliage or root uptake. As a general guide, however, anapplication rate of from 0.001 to 20 kilograms per hectare is suitablewhile from 0.025 to 10 kilograms per hectare may be preferred.

It is especially preferred that the glyphosate is in the form of thepotassium salt or an ammonium salt. The present invention is illustratedin its application to the formulation of potassium and ammoniumglyphosate respectively but is not limited to these glyphosate products.Ammonium and potassium glyphosate are particularly suitable salts foruse in high-strength glyphosate concentrates in which an effectiveproportion of a surfactant system and inorganic adjuvant is “built-in”to the composition. The term “built-in” as used herein indicates acomposition in which the required primary adjuvants are contained withina physically stable concentrate composition and do not have to be addedduring the tank mix stage. This does not of course preclude the operatoradding further adjuvants during tank mix if desired, but there is nonecessity for the addition of further adjuvants. The difficulties ofproviding effective high-strength glyphosate concentrates containingadjuvant systems are considerable, since such concentrates have to bephysically stable over extended storage at the possible extremes ofambient temperatures likely to be encountered in commercial usage.

As used herein, the term “high-strength” aqueous glyphosate concentrateindicates a concentrate in which the glyphosate concentration is greaterthan 240 g/l based on glyphosate acid content, for example from 240 to550 g/l such as from 240 to 400 g/l. An especially preferredconcentration for use with amrnonium glyphosate formulations is from 340to 380 g/l based on glyphosate acid. For the potassium salt, it ispossible to produce formulations having a concentration of up to 550g/l, for example from 400 to 550 g/l and in particular around 500 g/l.It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, all concentrations ofglyphosate are given herein in terms of the percentage by weight ofglyphosate acid even when the glyphosate anion is balanced by a suitablecation.

The ammonium glyphosate composition may alternatively be thought of as acombination of the ammonium salt of glyphosate, an ammonium salt such asammonium sulphate or diammonium phosphate and the alkylglycoside. Itwill be appreciated however that once in solution, the composition ischaracterised by a total ammonium cation content balanced by glyphosateanion and, for example sulphate anion. It is convenient nevertheless toexpress the content of the formulation in terms of ammonium salt contentand ammonium glyphosate content. The ammonium glyphosate composition ofthe present invention provides a physically stable composition even at ahigh loading of ammonium salt, for example ammonium sulphate, withouthaving to reduce either the surfactant concentration or the glyphosateconcentration. This is particularly surprising in view of the highelectrolyte content of the composition. Thus to achieve a satisfactoryenhancement of the activity of glyphosate, it is desirable toincorporate more than 70 g/l ammonium salt and preferably more thanabout 80 g/l. The upper limit of content of ammonium salt will depend onthe desired content of surfactant and glyphosate ion and whilst levelsas high as 180 g/l may be used if desired, the practical upper limit ofthe content of ammonium salt will normally be 160 g/l, or morepreferably 150 g/l. Especially effective results are obtained with acontent of ammonium salt of from 80 to 140 g/l since a surprisingly highand effective loading of glyphosate ion and alkylglycoside surfactantrespectively may be obtained in such compositions.

As noted above, whilst the ammonium ion present in the aqueous ammoniumglyphosate composition should not be thought of as being associatedspecifically with either with the glyphosate anion or for example thesulphate anion, it is convenient to express the concentration ofammonium ion relative to glyphosate ion as being in addition to thatpresent in the “ammonium salt” such as ammonium sulphate. Thus the molarratio of ammonium ion (in excess of that in the “ammonium salt”) toglyphosate anion is preferably from 1.5:1 to 2:1, for example from 1.7:1to 1.9:1. Particularly effective results are obtained at a ratio of(excess) ammonium ion to glyphosate ion of about 1.9:1.

As noted above, the content of the alkylglycoside surfactant system inthe aqueous concentrate is generally from about 80 to 250 g/l. The upperlimit of 250 g/l is more appropriate when relatively lower levels ofammonium salt are used whilst the lower limit of 80 g/l is moreappropriate when relatively higher levels of ammonium salt are used.Preferably therefore when the content of the ammonium salt content isfrom about 80 to about 100 g/l, the content of the alkylglycoside isfrom about 250 g/l to about 200 g/l, for example from about 245 g/l toabout 210 g/l. When the content of the ammonium salt is from about 100g/l to about 150 g/l, the content of the alkylglycoside is from about140 g/l to about 200 g/l, for example about 140 g/l to about 175 g/l.The potassium salt is generally less sensitive to the presence ofalkylglycoside and the optimum bioperformance enhancing level may beselected for the concentration of glyphosate to be used.

It is a particular advantage of the ammonium and potassium glyphosatecomposition of the present invention that a single surfactant, thealkylglycoside may be used as the sole additional bioperformanceenhancing agent with the compound of formula (I), thus providingprocessing and supply advantages.

If desired however, a proportion of the alkylglycoside in the glyphosatecomposition (whether it is ammonium or another salt) may be replaced byan alkoxylated alkylamine and in some circumstances a further increasein biological activity may be observed thereby. The phrase“alkylglycoside surfactant system” as used above includes both thealkylglycoside and the alkoxylated alkylamine, if used and the preferredconcentrations given above thus include both the alkylglycosidesurfactant and the alkoxylated alkylamine, if used.

The ratio of alkylglycoside to alkoxylated alkylamine in thealkylglycoside surfactant system is preferably from about 1 part byweight of alkylglycoside per 1 part by weight of alkoxylated alkylamineto about 10 parts by weight of alkylglycoside per 1 part by weight ofalkoxylated alkylamine. An especially preferred ratio is from about 5 toabout 8 parts by weight of alkylglycoside per 1 part by weight ofalkoxylated alkylamine.

Suitably the alkyl group in the alkoxylated alkylamine contains from 8to 22 carbon atoms (or an average of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms if amixture of alkyl groups is present) and may be linear or branched. It isespecially preferred that the alkyl group contains from 10 to 20 carbonatoms. Specific examples of preferred alkoxylated alkylamines arealkoxylated derivatives of cocamine, tallowamine, oleylamne andstearylamine. Typically such alkoxylated alkylamine surfactants areavailable with an average degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to about 15.Suitable alkoxy groups include ethoxy, propoxy or a mixture thereof.Ethoxy is particularly preferred.

Whilst it is possible to use an alkoxylated alkylamine in thecomposition of the present invention having an average degree ofalkoxylation (or more specifically ethoxylation) in the commerciallyavailable range, for example from 1 to about 15, we have found thatethoxylated alkylamines having a high degree of ethoxylation are lesscompatible with the high-strength composition than are those having alower degree of ethoxylation. Thus it is preferred that the averagedegree of alkoxylation (or more specifically ethoxylation) is from 2 to12. Thus it is especially preferred that the average degree ofalkoxylation (or more specifically ethoxylation) is from 2 to 5. Anexample of a particularly suitable alkoxylated alkylamine is anethoxylated alkylamine having an average degree of ethoxylation of about2 or about 5, for example an ethoxylated cocoamine having an averagedegree of ethoxylation of about 2 or about 5.

Whilst advantages may be obtained through the replacement of aproportion of the alkylglycoside with an alkoxylated alkylamine, suchadvantages are offset by an increase in viscosity of the composition.

If the viscosity of the composition is high, for example if analkoxylated alkylamine is used, it may be appropriate to add a viscositymodifying agent. Suitable viscosity modifying agents include propyleneglycol.

The compositions of the present invention may be made by mixing thecomponents in the desired proportions. The particular combination ofions in the composition of the present invention may be obtained from arange of different starting materials. The order of addition is notparticularly important. Thus for example solid diammonium glyphosate andglyphosate acid (to give the desired anunonium to glyphosate ion ratio)may be added with solid ammonium sulphate into water into which thealkylglycoside has been dissolved. Alternatively ammonia may be added toglyphosate acid in the presence of ammonium sulphate or alternativelystill, ammonia may be added to glyphosate acid in the presence ofsulphuric acid.

Compositions of the present invention may also be provided in a dilutedand ready-to-use form. Additional adjuvants suitable for ready-to-useformulations may also be added e.g. antifreeze, polymers and dyes.

The invention is illustrated by the following Examples in which allparts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise stated.

EXAMPLE 1

In the following Examples, compositions were prepared by adding ammoniato neutralise glyphosate acid (PMG acid) in the form of an aqueousslurry in order to generate the desired ratio of ammonium ion toglyphosate (1.9:1). The remaining components were added in the indicatedproportions (% w/w) and water was added proportionately to make up thebalance. The compound of formula (I) was GENAPOL X080, iso-tridecylalcohol having 8 polyethylene oxide units (n in formula (I) is 8). Thealkylglycoside was AL2575, from UNIQEMA.

A comparison was prepared in which no compound of formula (I) was used.The quantity of alkylglycoside was increased proportionately andadditional anti-foam was added.

Both the composition of the invention and the comparison with addedconventional antifoam had satisfactory and essentially equivalentfoaming characteristics.

In the following Table, compositions are given as % w/w at a compositiondensity of 1.28 g/cm³: TABLE 1 Example 1 Comparison Glyphosate acid (astechnical wet paste) 28 28 Ammonia (anhydrous) 8.2 8.2 Sulphuric acid(96% Commercial) 8.5 8.5 AL2575 13.0 13.4 Antifoam MSA 0.05 0.05 FluowetPL80 0 0.055 Isotridecyl alcohol 8EO 5.0 0 Water To 100% To 100%Fluowet PL80 is 50:50 mix of perfluorinated alkyl phosphinic andperfluorinated alkyl phosphonic acid, supplied by CLARIANT. Antifoam MSAis based on polydimethylsiloxane supplied by Dow Corning.

EXAMPLE 2

The compositions of Example 1 (composition of the invention andcomparison) were applied at the indicated rated expressed as glyphosateacid equivalent/ha to plant species grown in the glasshouse. Alltreatments were made up in tap water and applied using a track-sprayerwith a 11002 nozzle at a spray application volume of 200 l/ha. Alltreatments were replicated 3 times. After spraying the plants were laidout in a glasshouse and maintained at a temperature of 24° C. by day and19° C. by night. A visual assessment of % control, where 0=unaffectedand 100=complete kill, was carried out 22 days after treatment. TABLE 2% Control Against Indicated Species Composition Rate AVEFA BRODI CHEALLOLRI RAPRL Comparison 1 240 32 3 57 7 20 360 76 42 78 53 55 540 86 8792 73 85 720 100 93 93 98 92 Example 1 240 48 15 87 25 58 360 65 85 8778 80 540 62 100 92 95 73 720 96 100 99 100 93The species tested were: -AVEFA Wild Oat (Avena fatua)BRODI Bromus diandrusCHEAL common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.)LOLRI Lolium rigidumRAPRL Raphanus raphanistrum

EXAMPLES 3 and 4

In the following Examples, compositions were prepared by addingpotassium hydroxide to neutralise glyphosate acid (PMG acid). Theremaining components were added in the indicated proportions (g/l) andwater was added proportionately to make up the balance. The compound offormula (I) was GENAPOL X080, iso-tridecyl alcohol having 8 polyethyleneoxide units (n in formula (I) is 8). The alkylglycoside was AL2575 (orthe equivalent AGRIML PG2067) and was used in combination with anethoxylated cocoamine having a degree of ethoxylation of 5. A comparison(Comparison 2) was prepared in which no compound of formula (I) wasused. The foaming characteristics of the composition of the inventionand comparison were measured using the standard method of CIPAC MT 47.2are the results are shown in Table 4. TABLE 3 Component Example 3Example 4 Comparison 2 Glyphosate acid 100% 500 500 500 Potassiumhydroxide 371 371 371 (KOH) 50% AL2575 171 171 171 Alkoxylated cocoamine46 46 46 Genapol X080 2.74 6.85 0.0 Water To 1 litre To 1 litre To 1litre

TABLE 4 Foam Foam Foam Foam height at height at height at height at 10seconds 60 seconds 180 seconds 720 seconds (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)Comparison 45 60 50 44 2 Example 3 8 18 16 6 Example 4 14 18 20 18

EXAMPLES 5 and 6

In the following Examples, compositions were prepared by addingpotassium hydroxide to neutralise glyphosate acid (PMG acid). Theremaining components were added in the indicated proportions (g/l) andwater was added proportionately to make up the balance. The compound offormula (I) was GENAPOL X080, iso-tridecyl alcohol having 8 polyethyleneoxide units (n in formula (I) is 8). The alkylglycoside was AGRIMUL PG3399 and was used in combination with an ethoxylated cocamine having adegree of ethoxylation of 5. AGRIMUL PG 3399 is a low-foamingalkylglycoside. A comparison (Comparison 3) was prepared in which nocompound of formula (I) was used.

The foaming characteristics of the composition of the invention andcomparison were measured using the standard method of CIPAC MT 47.2 arethe results are shown in Table 6. TABLE 4 Component Example 5 Example 6Comparison 3 Glyphosate acid 100% 500 500 500 Potassium hydroxide 371371 371 (KOH) 50% AGRIMUL PG 3399 184 184 184 Alkoxylated cocoamine 4646 46 Genapol X080 2.74 6.85 0.0 Water To 1 litre To 1 litre To 1 litre

TABLE 5 Foam Foam Foam Foam height at height at height at height at 10seconds 60 seconds 180 seconds 720 seconds (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)Comparison 38 36 32 20 3 Example 5 10 18 16 10 Example 6 18 24 24 24

1. A low-foaming herbicidal composition comprising glyphosate and apolyethyleneoxide alkanol having the formula

wherein R₁ and R₂ are methyl or ethyl, R₃ is a straight chain alkylenegroup containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, R₄ is an alkylene groupcontaining 2 or 3 carbon atoms and n is from 4 to
 20. 2. A compositionaccording to claim 1 wherein the concentration of the glyphosate is from240 to 550 g/l based on glyphosate acid.
 3. A composition according toclaim 1 wherein the group (OR₄)_(n) is a poly(ethylene oxide) group,poly(propylene oxide) group or a mixed poly(ethylene oxide/propyleneoxide) group.
 4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein n is from 6to
 14. 5. A composition according to claim 4 wherein n is from 6 to 10.6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are both methyl.7. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R₃ contains from 7 to 11carbon atoms.
 8. A composition according to claim 1 wherein thepoly(alkylene oxide)alkanol of formula (I) is ethoxylated, propoxylatedor mixed alkoxylated/propoxylated iso-tridecyl alcohol wherein thedegree of alkoxylation is from 6 to
 14. 9. A composition according toclaim 8 wherein the poly(alkylene oxide)alkanol of formula (1) isisotridecyl alcohol having a degree of alkoxylation of
 8. 10. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein the concentration of thecompound of formula (I) is from 1 to 50 g/l.
 11. A composition accordingto claim 10 wherein the concentration of the compound of formula (I) isfrom 1 to 20 g/l.
 12. A composition according to claim 1 which containsan additional bioperformance enhancing adjuvant.
 13. A compositionaccording to claim 12 wherein the additional bioperformance enhancingadjuvant is an alkylglycoside.
 14. A composition according to claim 12wherein the additional bioperformance enhancing adjuvant is present at aconcentration of from 80 g/l to 250 g/l.
 15. A composition according toclaim 13 which additionally contains an alkoxylated alkylamine.
 16. Acomposition according to claim 1 which comprises an additional anti-foamto reduce foaming of the diluted product.
 17. A composition according toclaim 1 wherein the glyphosate is a potassium salt.
 18. A compositionaccording to claim 17 wherein the concentration of the glyphosate isfrom 400 to 500 g/l based on glyphosate acid.
 19. A compositionaccording to claim 1 wherein the glyphosate is an ammonium salt.
 20. Acomposition according to claim 19 wherein the concentration of theglyphosate is from 340 to 380 g/l based on glyphosate acid.
 21. Acomposition according to claim 19 which additionally contains ammoniumsulphate at a concentration of from 80 to 140 g/l.
 22. A method ofreducing the foaming of a glyphosate concentrate composition having aconcentration of from 240 to 550 g/l based on glyphosate acid whichcomprises incorporating in the composition a poly(alkylene oxide)alkanolof formula (I) of claim
 1. 23. A process of severely damaging or killingunwanted plants which comprises diluting a glyphosate concentratecomposition according to claim 1 and thereafter applying to the plants aherbicidally effective amount of said diluted composition.